The iconic Santa Monica Pier -- the traditional western endpoint for many Route 66 travelers -- nearly was destroyed by a severe storm and some bad decisions by a contractor 41 years ago. That factoid was revealed during a Santa Monica Daily News story about walking tours offered at the 115-year-old pier: Back in the … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago
Category: Attractions
Free passport program launched for Horseshoe Trail in Springfield, Illinois
Visit Springfield, the tourism and destination marketing organization for the City of Springfield, Illinois, announced last week it is launching the Springfield Horseshoe Trail Passport, which aims to heighten awareness of the longstanding dish in the region. The free passport lists 20 local businesses, including several along the Route 66 corridor, For the uninitiated, the … Continue reading Free passport program launched for Horseshoe Trail in Springfield, Illinois
Celebration set for April 14 for the opening of new Chain of Rocks Park in St. Louis
The Great Rivers Greenway a few days ago announced an April 14 celebration for the new Chain of Rocks Park at the west end of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis. The free event from 2 to 4 p.m. will include music, food, fun and community activities. The park is at 10820 … Continue reading Celebration set for April 14 for the opening of new Chain of Rocks Park in St. Louis
Bristow’s Town Square being revitalized as part of Route 66 project
The Town Square of Bristow, Oklahoma, is being revitalized by the town's historical society as part of a Route 66 Landmark Renovation Project. News on 6 in nearby Tulsa reported the society is building a new roof for the nearby historic depot. So far, all tiles have been removed for new roofing and the structure … Continue reading Bristow’s Town Square being revitalized as part of Route 66 project
1,000 wild burros in Oatman area will be relocated due to overpopulation
About 1,000 wild burros in Arizona's Black Mountain Herd Management Area will be relocated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management -- about half of the herd -- because of overpopulation concerns. The Route 66 village of Oatman is right in the middle of the management area. The wild burros -- for many years a … Continue reading 1,000 wild burros in Oatman area will be relocated due to overpopulation
Launching Pad’s owner litters contents from restaurant’s interior onto parking lot
The owner of the closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, scattered items from the interior of her Route 66 restaurant onto its parking lot, prompting two citations from local police The Joliet Patch reported that Holly Barker on Tuesday broke bottles of Route 66 root beer and tossed equipment and other items from the … Continue reading Launching Pad’s owner litters contents from restaurant’s interior onto parking lot
Lucky couples can get married on Route 66 in Kingman this February
The vintage Cupid’s Wedding Chapel neon sign from Las Vegas will be transformed into the newest roadside landmark in Kingman, Arizona, in February. The sign will be 200 feet west of the famous Route 66 drive-through shield, directly across Route 66 from Dunton Motors Dream Machines in downtown Kingman. And Kingman is offering chances to get married … Continue reading Lucky couples can get married on Route 66 in Kingman this February
Organization aims to promote small towns along Route 66 in mid-Oklahoma
The new MidPoint Corridor Route 66 Association, with the blessing of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, is seeking to tout about a dozen small towns along Route 66 in between Tulsa and Oklahoma City before the highway's centennial in 2026. The Oklahoman newspaper a few days ago published a front-page story about the new association, … Continue reading Organization aims to promote small towns along Route 66 in mid-Oklahoma
The two tragedies that beset the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa
Most Route 66 fans know of the fabled Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, as a popular tourist site, especially for a dip on hot summer days, and a spot for scuba-dive training. What many don't know, however, is the twin tragedies that occurred within the deep underwater caverns at the site -- one … Continue reading The two tragedies that beset the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa
Marsh Arch Bridge near Baxter Springs marks its 100th anniversary
The landmark Marsh Arch Bridge, aka the Rainbow Bridge or Brush Creek Bridge, near Baxter Springs, Kansas, celebrated its 100th birthday this week. According to several online sources, including the well-researched Vintage St. Louis and Route 66 page on Facebook, the bridge opened on Dec. 20, 1923 -- about three years before U.S. 66 was … Continue reading Marsh Arch Bridge near Baxter Springs marks its 100th anniversary